Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

midnight

(26,624 posts)
Tue Dec 23, 2014, 10:16 PM Dec 2014

"The corporate reform agenda does not have a single, semi-solid leg to stand on

when it claims to be able to help America’s most vulnerable" our children who use public schools...



"This is the biggest story in the last 100 years (the death of public education) and the only media attention it gets is typically dismissive of the voices screaming for help. Or it receives media attention that continues to push the corporate reform narrative. For example, big mouth Chris Christie got his arrogant butt on MSNBC (Morning Joe) last week by “straight talking” about the need for education reform and how he will not back down even if it costs him his office. And what did he say? Of course he is “fighting for the kids of New Jersey.” Really? Do the kids of New Jersey have a clue what will happen to them when Christie is done pushing his corporate reform agenda?

Every policy that he supports has been thoroughly dismissed by research. Choice does not work. Charters don’t help. Competition creates harsh learning climates. Pay for performance doesn’t work. Teach for America does nothing. Using test scores to promote or fire teachers is a deeply flawed statistical procedure. Destroying the working conditions of teachers actually creates environments that hinder learning. In other words, Chris Christie’s support for the kids of New Jersey will actually harm them and he is perfectly willing to risk his office on this platform. How is this possible?

Because, after he made the comment, MSNBC did not dissect any of his positions on education policy. Instead, MSNBC used the clip to demonstrate that as a “straight talker,” Christie is popular because he is willing to take a stand and, get this, more people would “like to have beer with him” (Can you see me banging my head against the brick wall?).

Is this all the “liberal media” is capable of doing? This guy and a bunch of others (Arne Duncan, Andrew Cuomo,Scott Walker, Rahm Emanuel—just to name a few—and the rest of the clown car called corporate education reform) are actually advocating for the privatization of American public schools Our public schools are a PROMISE to our local communities all children regardless of background, socioeconomic status, or zip code receive a powerful and critical education. An education dedicated to promoting democracy and citizen participation in the government by educating the masses. Christie is selling out New Jersey’s public schools and all the “liberal media” can do is comment on how many people would like to have a beer with him?"



http://bustedpencils.com/2014/12/move-along-nothing-see/

2 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
"The corporate reform agenda does not have a single, semi-solid leg to stand on (Original Post) midnight Dec 2014 OP
When will democrats get the message? yurbud Dec 2014 #1
Never, because they are as owned by the 1% as the Republicans. Odin2005 Dec 2014 #2
Latest Discussions»Issue Forums»Editorials & Other Articles»"The corporate refor...